Dana Braxton
My Interests:
Marine Biology is interdisciplinary and so am I. The ocean is full of wonders and magnificent specimens that has yet to be discovered which is why I'd like to be one of the firsts. My curiosity leads me towards the evolution and phylogeny of marine life including how ecological and biological processes has affected them throughout history, especially with the influence of anthropogenic causes, climate change, ocean acidification, etc. Leading organisms to increase their adaptation, including their taxonomy, morphology, reproduction, physiology, biology. And tell their story through bioinformatics, phylogenetic trees, and data visualization to emphasize the fascinating, hidden secrets we have yet to unravel. I'll be studying Maldanidae (commonly known as bamboo worms). I seek to decipher whether a holotype Maldanella samson (retrieved in March 2020 off Western Australia) is a specimen that has never been discovered or is one that's already been described but has gained a new adaptation over time. I'll be doing this through examining their morphology, biomechanics, phylogeny, biology, and DNA processing.
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